MUMBAI: The city has witnessed a nearly 30% drop in commuters for conventional road transport such as BEST buses and kaali-peeli taxis in the past five years. A majority of these passengers have switched to Ola and Uber - the reason being a comfortable, clean ride at competitive rates, sources said.

Statistics collated from transport department sources and various unions show that between 2011 and 2016, at least 16 lakh commuters have migrated from the red buses and taxis to other modes of transport such as aggregator cabs, fleet taxis, share autorickshaws and also privately owned two-wheelers. The gain for aggregator cabs and fleet cabs is the highest: 10 lakh commuters.

Transport expert Sunil Mone said, "Technology has helped commuters avail of comfortable rides in private cabs provided by aggregators like Ola and Uber. Maximum users fall in the age group of 20 to 40 years, who are comfortable using a mobile app to get a cab at their doorstep. You get a comfortable AC ride, with a transparent billing system, and most importantly, at a competitive price, which is often cheaper than kaali-peeli rides."

Among those who migrated in recent years include 5 lakh bus passengers who opted for the share auto service outside stations. The primary reason - the minimum fare of share auto is Rs 8, equivalent to the minimum bus fare.

"Most of our customers are ex-BEST users, who have found fares to be too high and the quality of bus service deteriorating," said auto union leader Thampy Kurien. "Autos have quick dispersal from the station area, with less waiting period at stands, and reach you faster to the doorstep," he said.

Seema Kapoor, who prefers to travel only by Ola, said she gets the cab at any time of the day and night and is able to travel at ease. A regular Uber user said barring the surge pricing, he has had a great travel experience. "You can book within seconds, the cab arrives within minutes and service is impeccable. On the other hand, I get frustrated waiting for a bus at the stop, travelling in rattling buses or being refused by taxi/auto drivers all the time," he pointed out.

BEST committee member Ravi Raja said the bus undertaking will have to make serious efforts to encourage reverse migration. He suggested BEST should encourage "cashless travel" by giving incentives to those using smartcards which can be topped up with cash. "Every ride should earn you a point, and accumulation of points should give you free rides or discounts at stores/popular brands. This will attract more commuters," he said, adding that a mobile app will also prevent commuters from migrating. "If you know the next arriving bus is expected in two minutes, you will not hop onto the next available auto or taxi," he pointed out.

An Uber official admitted there was growing demand for the aggregator-based service in Mumbai and other cities. "By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for drivers," the official added.